Easier approval norms for urban development soon, says Venkaiah Naidu

NEW DELHI: The government expects to soon put in place a new "single window" clearance mechanism to provide faster approvals for urban development projects, Union Minister M Venkaiah Naidu said today.

He noted that the issue of delays in approvals for urban development projects would be addressed and the home work in this regard has been done.

"By November 30, we will be bringing out a notification about easy approvals (for urban development projects)... Like a single window clearance is in the offing by November end. That is the deadline we (government) we have wet for ourselves," Naidu said.

Once that framework comes into operations, the delays in approvals would be addressed, the Urban Development Minister said.

In this regard, extensive discussions have been held with various ministries including Environment, Civil Aviation, Defence, Culture and Consumer Affairs, the Minister said.

He was speaking at the 'National Strategy Day on India' organised by the World Economic Forum (WEF)/and industry body CII here.

Naidu said that plans are on the anvil to have city-wise special purpose vehicles for each project and the idea has been thought of after seeing the bitter experience with respect to public private partnership projects.

Charting out an ambitious road map for infrastructure and urban development, the government is working to set up 100 smart cities apart from seeking to provide housing for all by 2022.

According to him, the government is working on a policy for converting waste into energy. Besides, it is looking at waste to compost issue and "if you are taking two bags of urea then you have to compulsorily take one bag of compost," he added.

Naidu also emphasised that the government is focused on development and good governance.

"I am going to allow urban development bodies to use the money given by me as seed capital so that they can get finance from banks," Naidu said.

Efforts are being made to sensitise urban development bodies about the need to have reforms with regard to clearances, transparency, accountability and also become credit worthy, he said.

Noting there are great opportunities in the country, the Minister said the government does not differentiate between public and private sector.

"The government is working on three Ms - Mindset, Model and Mechanism," the Minister said.

Naidu said the perception about the country has radically changed but still there is a long way to go. "The government is serious about improving the ease of doing business... Things will improve," he added.

"There is clamour for free power, subsidies... but you also have examples of Gujarat where there is no free power but assured power... Now there is new awakening and people want development in their respective areas. That's why they will be coming forward to pay user charges...," Naidu noted.